Once you book your surgery, it is time to start preparing for the procedure and recovery. While recovery from cosmetic procedures takes patience, there are steps you can take to ensure prompt recovery times and improve outcomes, including the reduction of noticeable scars. We spoke to Dr. Buford, a member of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons and author of Eat, Drink, Heal, to discuss how your eating habits and self care leading up to and after surgery can impact your healing process.

Preparing for the Procedure

Dr. Buford’s method “is very similar to athletes preparing for a competition in that patients need to get their bodies as optimized as possible from a nutritional standpoint and they also need to recover.” Getting your head in the game ahead of surgery will really pay off once you enter the healing period. This means not only researching procedure-specific requirements but also adjusting your lifestyle as a whole, starting around three to four weeks prior to surgery. One of the most important lifestyle changes to make as early as possible is to stop smoking. If you think you may struggle with this, discuss options with your physician as they will have resources to help with the cessation

Ideally your practitioner will discuss pre-surgery dietary recommendations with you, however, as it is not a traditional topic to cover during consultation you should also prepare questions to ask the doctor. Dr. Buford has explained, “there is a slow but upward change in attitude with more medical schools adopting programs aimed at teaching young physicians about the importance of proper nutrition,” which is translating into better patient education.

You will need to be in optimal physical and mental shape in order to bounce back from surgery as quickly as possible. Most surgeons will require you to pass a physical exam prior to the procedure. During this consultation, inquire if your physician has any specific recommendations regarding medication or any supplements that you are taking or planning to take prior to your surgery.

Three weeks before your surgery date, you should start adjusting your diet to be eating more fruits and vegetables. To get the optimal amount, you can juice or blend them to make it easier and more convenient to consume. In addition to eating larger quantities of fruits and vegetables, you should also be increasing your protein intake (can be animal or non-animal protein).

There are also specific foods you should avoid. For example, it is commonly recommended that patients avoid foods rich in salicylates. Salicylate is a naturally occurring chemical that is the base of aspirin medications and acts as a blood thinner. Common foods that are high in salicylates, and should be avoided prior to surgery, include:

• Fruit: fresh apricots, most berries, apples, grapes, orange, strawberries, avocado
• Vegetables: gherkins, peppers, radish, broccoli, eggplant
• Herbs and Condiments: black pepper, cinnamon, cumin, mint, mustard, turmeric, wine and cider vinegars, chilli powder
• Beverages: fruit-flavored drinks, peppermint tea

Sometimes it can be beneficial to take additional vitamins, like vitamins A and C, and/or supplements, like bromelain and arnica, ahead of surgery. Dr. Buford says, “to optimally heal, proper building blocks need to be made available, not only after surgery but also before surgery so that each patient is adequately prepared for the procedure itself.” Discuss any procedure-specific supplements with your physician during your pre-surgery appointment to maximize your surgery’s outcome. Two weeks before surgery, you should do one final check-in with your plastic surgeon or physician.

Preparing for Recovery

Take some time to ensure everything is in place for the days and weeks following surgery. Your surgeon and physician will have discussed the amount of downtime you will need following the procedure, so make sure to check your schedule and adjust as needed. Check your activity restrictions with your practitioner, as these vary depending on the plastic surgery procedure. Additionally, make transportation arrangements to and from the procedure, either with a friend, family member or a reliable transportation company (most physicians will have details of recommended suppliers).

It is also a good idea to start preparing your home for post-surgery. Make sure the space is comfortable and fully equipped with everything you will need during recovery (think: Netflix, good books, and easy access to the restroom)! Prior to the surgery, here are a few steps you can take to make your recovery more comfortable:

• Special Pillows: Believe it or not, there are pillows specially made for different procedure types. For example, elevation pillows are recommended for rhinoplasty and other facial surgeries and moulded pillows are available for Brazilian Butt Lift.
• Skincare Products: Prior to surgery, gather your favorite skincare products to leave near your bed. Gentle cleaning wipes and water sprays can help keep you feeling fresh in the days following surgery. You can also keep your favorite lip salve, moisturizer and hand cream to keep your skin hydrated.
• Scar Gel and Silicone Strips/Sheets: If you doctor has recommended it, stock up on scar gel and/or silicone strips/sheets to minimize scarring.
• Meal Plan: If you plan to prepare your own food, consider investing in a juicer, blender, and/or slow cooker to make food preparation easier. On the other hand, if you would prefer not to cook during your recovery, you can research food delivery options. Regardless of what you decide, remember to make sure that the food complies with your dietary requirements.

And remember that it is possible that you may have occasional days when you feel tired again for a little while after surgery, this is normal and should pass with time as your body recovers.